Lubricating system for sheave blocks



Dec. 26, 1950 F. GORRELL 2,535,915

LUBRICATING SYSTEM FOR SHEAVE BLOCKS Filed April 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Fred Gone/l (wi may E M15105 Dec. 26, 1950 F. GORRELL 2,535,915

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LUBRICATING SYSTEM FOR SHEAVE BLOCKS Filed April 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 In uentor Fred Gar/ell kinds.

Patented Dec. 26, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LUBRICATING SYSTEM FOR SHEAVE BLOCKS Fred. Gorrell, Odessa, Tex.

Application April 25, 1949, Serial No. 89,397

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to lubricating arrangements for sheave blocks such as used in connection with hoisting or lifting devices of various kinds and it has special reference to so-called crown blocks which are sheave blocks arranged on top of derricks or towers used in connection with oil wells, mines or construction work of all grown blocks of this type are not easily accessible as the height of the derrick on top of which they are mounted is, as a rule, considerable. Lubrication of the sheave block takes place by means of hard grease and grease guns, orby grease cups for hard greasemade as large as possibleunder the circumstances.

The nature of the work to be performed by the pulleys or sheaves of such crown blocks entails the handling ofheavy loads, resulting inthe production of high specifioloads on the axles, shafts, journals and on other parts of the carrying gear of the blocks which together with the high speeds mostly used calls for ample lubrication. If, therefore, the installation is to be kept in good working order greasing has to take place frequently, practically after a few hours of heavy work. This proves to be a major inconvenience in all cases in which heavy loads have to be handled either permanently or for longer periods.

The invention has for its object to provide an automatic lubricating system with permanent circulation for sheave blocks and similar arrangements which is capable of furnishing the required ample lubrication for a long time Without supervision, refilling or other attendance.

According to the invention oil is supplied to a plurality of bores in the shafts or axles on which the pulleys turn, bringing the lubricant to the places where it has to be applied, which bores form circulation channels between closed receptacles, casing or containers. A closed circulation system is thus provided which also contains oil circulation. means which are actuated by the pulleys or sheaves when working and which drive the lubricant through the system. Ample lubrication of all frictional or bearing surfaces with a circulation which is always proportionate to the speed of the pulleys will thus be provided for an indefinite time until the lubricant is used up. The necessity for supervision and renewal of the lubricant at relatively short intervals is thus eliminated.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to include the seats of the pulleys to lubricated into a system which comprises a substantially closed permanent circulation with short side channels for distributing the lubricant and for bringing it to the bearing surface, said closed system being produced by two receptacles or casings arranged on opposite sides of the sheave block and by axial bores provided in stationary shafts on which the pulleys are rotatably seated.

t is a further object of the invention to provide a sheave block with a plurality of sheaves seated on a plurality of stationary axles or shafts, in which lubrication is obtained by means of a lubrication system permanently circulating the lubricant through axial bores in the stationary axles or shafts to and from receptacles into which said axial bores discharge, the circulation and storage of the lubricant being thereby confined to stationary part/S 50 as to exclude the action or centrifugal forces on the feeding of the lubricant.

It is a further obgect of theinvention to provide a sheave block of the type above described in whichthe bearing surfaces of the sheaves are fed by a number of side ducts or channels, branching off from the main channel or bore connecting the lubricating receptacles and being kept filled by the pressureof the circulating fluid, each seat or bearing surface being moreover provided with means for preventing an escape of the lubricant to a point outside the circulation system. It is a further object of the invention to provide a sheave block of the above mentioned type in which the receptacles containing lubricant are connected by axial bores in the shafts carrying the pulleys, eachoi said bores being provided with circulating means for producing a circulation of the lubricant through said bore in one direction, the direction of the circulation in each bore being so chosen that a continuous circulation through the receptacles results While the circulating means is in action.

It is a further object of the invention to provide asheave block of the above described: type with two receptacles joined or connected by circulation channels formed by bores in the pulley shafts, supporting the pulleys of the sheave, each ofsaid circulation channels being provided with pumping means drivingthe fluid in one direction and said pumping means being driven by means of gear wheels driven by one of the pulleys seated on the pulley shafts.

Further and more specific objects of the invention will be apparent from the following, specification.

The invention is more specifically described in the following detailed specification and is illus-- trated in the accompanying drawing showing one modification thereof by way of example. It is, however, to be understood that the embodiment or the example shown is mainly intended to serve as a basis for the explanation of the principle of the invention and of one mode of applying said principle. Other modifications, as will be clear to the expert skilled in this art, may likewise embody the same principle and further embodiments of the inventive idea are, therefore, not necessarily a departure from the said principle.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is an elevational view of the top of a derrick or a tower provided with a lifting or hoisting device showin the position of the crown block.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are an elevational front view, an elevational side view and a top view respectively of the sheave block.

Figure 5 is a sectional top view on an enlarged scale, the section being taken along line *55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a partial View of the side plate with the oil casing removed showing the driving gear for the pumping element.

Figures 7 and 8 show partial sectional views of details of the pumping element and of its driving gears, the figures showing views taken on the two sides of a sectional line indicating by the arrows l-l, '88 which point in the direction in which the view is taken.

Figure 9 is a partly sectional view of the pumping element.

Figures 10 and 11 are elevational front and side views, respectively, of a pulley and of the gear wheel attached to it.

Figure 12 is a sectional view of a pulley, the

section being taken along a, plane passing through the axis of rotation.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a sealing ring.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view of a pulley showing the mounting of the sealing ring and its fixation.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary elevational sectional view of the hub portion of a pulley the section being taken along line I 5i5 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is an elevational side view of a pulley.

Figure 17 is an elevational view of the shaft on which the pulleys are mounted.

Figure 18 is an elevational sectional view of the shaft the section being taken along line !8-!8 of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a cross sectional view of a detail.

According to the crown block construction shown in the figures by way of example, the crown block '20, Figure 1, is mounted on the top of a derrick 23 indicated diagrammatically by a number of girders. This crown block which is shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 comprises two sets of pulleys 2d and 25, respectively, each set being mounted on a shaft 25, 27!, respectively. The two shafts are carried by the two side plates 2|, 22 which may be reinforced at the base by channel irons 23, 29 which are attached to the I irons at the top of the tower 255.

The crown block 29 is held near the top by a top bolt 3| which also carries the protective shields 32 inserted between the pulleys.

As seen in Figure 1 the hook 33 of the hoisting tackle which is attached to a sheave block 34 is raised and lowered by means of the cables 35 running over the two sets of pulleys 24, 25.

The pulleys 24, 25, respectively, are mounted on the shafts 26, 27 for free and independent rotation. The shafts are fixed within the side plates 2|, 22 by means of screw threaded ends 36, 31 passing through suitable openings or holes 38 in the side plates by means of nuts 40.

Each shaft 26, 21 has a central bore 4! run- 4 ning from one end to the other and serving as a combined lubrication and circulation channel. From this channel a number of radially directed channels 42 are branching oif at each seat of a pulley in order to carry the lubricant to the inner journal Or bearing surface 43 of the pulley carried by the shaft. This surface forms part of the hub portion 44 of the pulley (Figures 12 and 16). In addition, the pulley is provided with two recesses i5, 46 (Figure 12) for a purpose to be described. The pulley in other respects may have any approved construction and, as shown, has a cable carrying rim 4'! and an apertured disc or spoke portion 48 joining the rib to the hub.

The lubricant fed through the central bore 4! and the radial channels and penetrating to the journaling portion is prevented from penetrating further along the outer surface of the shaft 26 by oil retainer rings 54! (Figure 13) inserted into the two recesses 5 and. 48 which form an oil tight seal. These rings may be of any approved construction. Preferably rings, such as shown in Figure 13, are used, which are provided with chambers iii, 52 filled with a suitable oil resisting textile material.

The ring 50 is held in place by a split elastic steel ring 54 shown in Figures 14, 15 and 19 which has a tendency to expand and therefore clamps itself firmly to the inner side of the-recess into which it is inserted thus holding the oil retaining ring 5B in its place.

The automatic oil circulation system which is shown in Figure 5 moreover comprises two oil casings 51, 58 attached to the side plates 2!, 22, respectively which are covering part of said side plates. They form the reservoir or tank holding a quantity of oil which is required for a lon period of lubrication.

Circulation is obtained by means of a rotating screw or worm or of aso-called augur blade 60 consisting of a wire or band wound in a single or double spiral. This spiral projects from a core 6| which is journaled by means of ball bearings 52, E3 within the oil casings El, 58. Special supports 64, 65 screwed 0r riveted to the side plate are arranged for holding said ball bearings.

On said core 6! a toothed pinion 66 is mounted meshing with a pinion 6'2! mounted on a small auxiliary shaft 63 which is carried by ball bearings ll, 72 (Figure 5) fastened on the above-named supports. The auxiliary shaft 58 passes through the side plate (2!, 22) and has to be provided with a sealing ring or packing It to prevent the loss of oil from the oil casing.

On the protruding end of the shaft 88 another pinion is is arranged which is fixedly mounted on said shaft and which meshes with a pinion l5 fixed on the hub portion t l of pulley seated next to the side plate by means of screws '55. The details of this arrangement are illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.

A similar arrangement generally indicated at H (shown in dotted lines in Figure 5 and provided i with the same reference letters) is arranged in the second oil casing 58 in connection with the second shaft 2?.

It will thus be seen that when the pulley 25. next to side plate 26 is rotated, it rotates pinion i5 attached to it and pinion is mounted on the auxiliary shaft 63 is rotated thereby. Its motion is transmitted to pinion 6i and to pinion 68 mounted on core iii. The core rotates the screw, worm or so-callecl augur blade and thus pumps oil into the bore l! of shaft 26. The oil is partly conveyed to the seats 43 of the pulleys by means of channels 42 but a major part will be conveyed to the second oil casing 53. In said casing exactly the same operation as described in connection with shaft 26 and container 57 takes place with respect to container 58 and shaft 2? by means of the pumping arrangement il'. Oil is conveyed to the bearing surfaces 43 of the pulleys and is again returned to and discharged into oil casing 57 through bore ii of shaft 27. A closed oil circulation including the journaling surfaces of the pulleys is thus established.

It is seen from the above description that a large quantity of oil may be filled into the oil casings of the crown block which circulates therein continuously until used up. The sealing rings on the outside of the pulleys keep the oil within the closed system and prevent traveling of the oil along the shafts, a feature which greatly contributes to a long period of service for a given oil quantity. The circulation of the oil is obtained by positive means, actuated by the pulleys themselves and lubricatlon will, herefore, regulate itself according to actual loading requirements.

It will also be clear that supervision of the lubrication becomes unnecessary except at relatively long intervals.

It will also be clear that many details are merely shown by way of example and may be modified in accordance with requirements.

Having described the invention, What is claimed as new is:

1. An automatic lubrication system for the pulleys of a sheave block comprising a plurality of pulley shafts, pulleys seated on said shafts for free and independent rotation, each shaft being provided with a central bore running from end to end and with radial bores leadin from said central bore to the seating surfaces of the pulleys, closed oil casings at each side of the sheave block, said oil casings communicating with the central bores in the shafts and fluid pumping means, actuated by one of the pulleys, arranged within said oil casing for circulating the oil through the central bores of the pulley shafts.

2. In an automatic lubrication system as claimed in claim 1, the arrangement of at least two pulley shafts, and of one fluid pumping means in each oil casing, said means being associated with different shafts and Working in different directions.

3. In an automatic lubricating system for a sheave block, a plurality of stationary pulley shafts, pulleys seated on said shafts for free and independent rotation, each shaft being provided with an axial central bore running from end to end and with radial bores leading from the central bore to the seating surfaces of the pulleys, side plates for supporting said shafts, closed lubricant casings at each side of the said sheave block, communicating with the central bores in the pulley shafts, each casing being in communication with the casing on the other side of said sheave block by means of said central bores, a rotary oil pumping member in one of said bores, adapted for circulating lubricant along said bore from one casing to the other and means for driving said pumping member and actuated by the rotation of the pulleys.

4. In an automatic lubricating system for a sheave block, two side plates, two stationary shafts fixed in said side plates with their ends on the outside, each shaft being provided with an axial central bore, running from end to end,

l n do 6 I pulleys seated on each of said shafts for independent rotation, the shafts being provided with radial bores leading from the central bore to the seat of the pulleys, one of said pulleys on each shaft being provided with a toothed wheel fixed to it, a flat closed oil casing fixed to the outside of each side plate, and covering the portion of that side plate in which the two shafts are fixed, said casing being in communication with the central bore of each of said two shafts, an auxiliary shaft in each oil casing projecting outwardly through the side plate, a toothed wheel on the projecting portion of said auxiliary shaft meshing with the toothed wheel fixed to one of the pulleys, means for producing a circulation of a lubricant through the two shafts in opposite directions so as to produce a closed circulation system between the oil casings mounted on the two side plates through the central bores in the shafts, said means being driven by the said auxiliary shafts.

5. In an automatic lubrication system for a sheave block, comprising a plurality of pulleys, pulley shafts carrying and seating said pulleys for independent rotation each shaft being provided with a central bore running from end to end and with radial bores leading from said central bore toward the pulley seating surfaces, sealing means associated with each of said pulleys arranged on both sides of the same for preventing escape of the lubricant from the pulley seating surfaces, side plates for supporting the pulley shafts, an oil casing arranged on each of said side plates covering that portion of the side plate in which the pulley shafts are supported, said oil casings communicating with each other by means of the shaft bores, a rotatable pumping means within each of said oil casings arranged near the end of the central bore of one of the pulley shafts for circulating the fluid through the central bore from one oil casing to the other and. driving means for each of said pumping means including a gear wheel fixed to one of the pulleys and transmission means for rotating said fluid pumping means.

6. In an automatic lubricating system of the type described as claimed in claim 3, in which the rotary pumping member and the means for driving it comprise a gear wheel fixed to a pulley, an auxiliary shaft passing through the side plate into the lubricant casing, sealing means around said auxiliary shaft, a gear wheel on that portion of said auxiliary shaft which is outside of the lubricating casing meshing with the aforesaid gear wheel on the pulley, a further gear wheel on said auxiliary shaft in the interior of the lubricant casing a core carrying a spiral blade, said blade projecting into the central bore of each pulley shaft, and a driving gear wheel on said core meshing with the last named gear wheel on said auxiliary shaft, to drive the spiral blade carrying core from the pulley.

FRED GORREIL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,424,075 Boykin July 25, 1922 1,668,139 Black May 1, 1928 2,146,360 Shimer Feb. 7, 1939 

